Everyone but her, the girl who was always left behind.
She lifted her beer.Well, The Ruckus would keep her warm.It would pay her bills and put a roof over her head.
“God, this sucks.”
Roxie Cannon, fifth wheel.
She plopped her drink onto the bar, not caring when it spilled over the edge into a sloppy puddle.Hopping down, she headed back to the kitchen, her heels clicking fast.Teeny weenies weren’t what she needed, but they’d have to do.
Because she certainly wasn’t going to take Whitey up on his offer.
* * * * *
Nobody noticed when the new guy walked into the bar—nobody but the biker babes scattered throughout.Like bees scenting nectar, they started noticing him one by one.He was dressed like any of the other bikers in jeans, a T-shirt, and a leather jacket, but one thing stood out.The guy was freaking gorgeous.Tall and rangy, but built, with an almost baby face and shaggy brown hair that screamed for a woman’s fingers to run through it.Combine that with the bad boy vibe he gave off and mouths were salivating.
He stood just inside the room looking around for someone, and women started arching their backs and sticking out their butts.Their blatant come-ons were ignored.Either the guy didn’t notice, or he was used to it.
Finally, he spotted whomever he was looking for.The look on his face turned determined and he started across the room.One look and Old Martha sat down on her chair with athump.Not only did the dude look good, he moved like a bad girl’s wet dream.He had the kind of swagger that was easygoing but not showy.It was a natural kind of athletic grace—the kind that couldn’t be faked, but made a woman wonder how he moved in bed.
Soon his destination became clear.His shoulders squared and he reached out to run a knuckle down the arm of a dark-haired woman.It was an intimate touch, not blatant but definitely personal.The woman turned quickly to see who was trying to get her attention, and her head tilted back as she looked up, up, and up.
“Hey, babe.”
Lexie Underhill’s lips parted, and she let out a puff of air.The resistance in her muscles softened and the confusion on her face turned to wonder.Instead of protesting, she just stared.
The man looked down at her and his sly grin faded.“Roxie?”
“Oh.”Lexie continued staring at the man in awe.Self-conscious, she pushed her hair over her shoulder.“She’s over there somewhere.”
This time it was the new guy’s turn to look confused.
She smiled and waved absently in another direction.“Somewhere over… Oh, I don’t know.”
“Okay… My mistake.”The heartthrob backed away a step, looking at her as if she were playing with him.When she didn’t give up the game, he shook his head.His expression was one of clear befuddlement.She continued looking at him all moony-eyed, and he backed off further.
That put him up against someone else.They bumped into each other, back against back.
“Sorry,” the man muttered.He turned to apologize, but his confidence returned when he spotted whom he’d bumped into.Recognizing the long dark hair and sleek build, he caught the sexy woman by the waist and moved closer.“There you are.”
Maxie Miller’s back stiffened at the feel of hands on her.In front of her, her boyfriend straightened as if a chiropractor had just given him an adjustment.She turned on a dime, lifting her arms to push away whomever had grabbed her.When she got a look at the stranger holding her, though, she gave a visible shiver.Her jaw dropped and her hands relaxed against his chest.
“Wow.”Her whole body melted like an ice cream cone under a hot sun.
“Wow, yourself.”With a wicked grin, the handsome visitor dropped his head.He tightened his grip on her waist as he pulled her in, but she let out a squeak when she realized he was going to kiss her.The sound made him pause, but then something flashed in his peripheral vision.
Knuckles.A fist.Flying dark hair.
His reflexes saved him.
Pulling back with a jerk, he narrowly avoided the punch.
When he yanked his hands away from Maxie, she slumped and nearly fell to the floor.He didn’t stop to catch her, because the whirring avenger was coming at him—only it wasn’t the big blond dude she seemed to be with.“Hey!”he yelled as he ducked to protect himself.
The direction of the flying fist changed, hitching to a stop midair.“Oh, my God!”
Momentum already had the man in its grip.He stepped back to brace himself but tripped when another biker’s boot got in his way.He tried to stop himself from going down, but it was too late.In slow motion, all six feet three inches of him tumbled backwards.Once he realized there was no saving himself, he maneuvered so he took the brunt of the fall on his hind end.Over in the corner, Old Martha winced.
Such a fine heinie it was.
